HC Deb 07 February 1996 vol 271 c324
12. Mr. Jon Owen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Russian Foreign Minister to discuss security problems within the Russian Federation. [12354]

Mr. Rifkind

I last met the Russian Foreign Minister at the peace implementation conference in London on 8 and 9 December.

Mr. Jones

Would the Secretary of State care to define what constitutes the legitimate use of force in order to retain the integrity of the Russian empire? Does the indiscriminate bombing of cities and villages form a part of that legitimate use of force?

Mr. Rifkind

The United Kingdom certainly does not support that use of force, and we hope that the Russian Government will seek to resolve their internal problems by a peaceful dialogue and that those concerned with political reform will bring the conflict to an end. That would be far more likely to achieve a lasting solution than a purely military approach.